Dr. Golds brings up an important point, in that there is nothing in place to protect bird, small mammal habitat loss, through the existing parks bylaws, via a "No net loss policy".

If a portion of the parks are removed for other uses, they should be replaced with the same amount of habitat, preferrably nearby. These proposed "tidal" channels will impact considerable hectares of land, now used by other forms of life. Restoration of part of the farm to tidal flows, may seem a good thing at first glance, but the bed of the Coquitlam River is actually raised above the surrounding area, a condition that did not exist prior to the dikes being built in 1908.

The riverbed of the Coquitlam River, has infilled considerably mainly due to gravel extraction, channelization throughout most of its length, and lastly urbanization of a large part of the lower watershed.

DFO, affectionately known as the Dysfunctional Fisheries Organization, is also to blame for their policy of not restoring old channels, but creating entirely new ones, that can take many years, if ever to gain their full potential. Whereas the old channels frequently still have intact riparian areas, and the streambeds are intact.

Farm Cottage I

Farm Cottage II

Farm Cottage III

Farm Cottage IV

Farm Cottage V

Farm Cottage VI

Farm Cottage VII

Farm Cottage VIII

Any Questions?

Do you have any questions or feedback about the park. If so a
Send E-mail A "sustainability" visioning exercise, has been slowly moving along, pushed along by the GVRD. A draft report,(PDF) is available